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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
LITIGATION RELEASE NO. 15326 / April 11, 1997
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. ENSERCO, INC., d/b/a ENERGY
SERVICE COMPANY, JOHN P. BRINK, ANTHONY J. LEO AND FRANK BRAVO,
JR.
H-97-0983, USDC, SD/TX (Houston Division)
The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission")
announced that on March 27, 1997, it filed a complaint in United
States District Court in Houston, Texas, against Enserco, Inc.,
d/b/a Energy Service Company, ("Enserco"), John P. Brink, Anthony
J. Leo and Frank Bravo, Jr. The Commission's complaint alleges
that each of the defendants violated the securities registration
and anti-fraud provisions found in Sections 5(a), 5(c) and 17(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 10(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5
thereunder, and that Leo and Bravo violated the broker-dealer
registration provisions found in Section 15(a) of the Exchange
Act. The Complaint seeks permanent injunctions against all
defendants. Additionally, all defendants are to file a sworn
accounting, and disgorgement and civil penalties are sought for
Brink, Leo and Bravo.
The Complaint alleges that the defendants raised
approximately $3.6 million from investors in 39 states for the
purpose of purchasing oil field equipment and pipe. Enserco was
to resell the equipment and return a portion of the profits to
investors. The Complaint alleges that investors were guaranteed
returns of up to 25% per annum, with complete security of
principal, and were told that there were no risks associated with
the investment. In fact, according to the Complaint, Brink
operated an undisclosed "Ponzi" scheme whereby monies contributed
by new investors were paid as purported profits to previous
investors. Further, the Complaint alleges that Brink
misappropriated investors' funds, and Leo and Bravo received
undisclosed commissions for their efforts in selling Enserco
securities.
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COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST ENSERCO, INC., JOHN P. BRINK, ANTHONY J.
LEO AND FRANK BRAVO, JR.
The Commission announced that on March 27 it filed a
complaint in Houston, Texas, against Enserco, Inc., d/b/a
Energy Service Company, (Enserco), John P. Brink, Anthony J.
Leo, and Frank Bravo, Jr. The Commission's complaint alleges
that each of defendants violated the securities registration
and anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws,
and that Leo and Bravo violated the broker-dealer
registration provisions. The Complaint seeks permanent
injunctions against all defendants. Additionally, all
defendants are to file a sworn accounting, and disgorgement
and civil penalties are sought for Brink, Leo and Bravo.
The Complaint alleges that Brink, Leo and Bravo raised
approximately $3.6 million from investors in 39 states to
purchase oil field equipment and pipe. Enserco was to resell
the equipment and return a portion of the profits to
investors. The Complaint alleges that investors were
guaranteed returns of up to 25% per annum, with complete
security of principal, and were told that there were no
risks associated with the investment. In fact, according to
the Complaint, Brink operated an undisclosed "Ponzi" scheme
whereby monies contributed by new investors were paid as
purported profits to previous investors. Further, the
Complaint alleges that Brink misappropriated investors'
funds, and Leo and Bravo received undisclosed commissions
for their efforts in selling Enserco securities.[Securities
and Exchange Commission v. Enserco, Inc., d/b/a Energy
Service Company, John P. Brink, Anthony J. Leo and Frank
Bravo, Jr., H-97-0983, USDC, SD/TX] (LR- )
Phillip W. Offill
Trial Counsel
Fort Worth District Office
817/978-6450